BILLIARDS.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume XX, Issue 1122, 12 October 1911, Page 13

BILLIARDS.

The well-known Australian lady billiardist champion, Miss Ruby Roberts, has concluded a week’s play, of 400 points each session with Miss Eva Coll'ns, an English lady player. At, the termination of the match, which was 2400 up, Miss Roberts won by 929 points. * :S * * Miss Roberts, who is a niece of the ex-Australian champion, Charles Memmott, has so far been undefeated in a series of matches in England, having, amongst others, beaten Madame Strebor, a leading lady player, and a relative of the ex-champion John Roberts. * * * # The most important billiard conference ever suggested is that scheduled for “Cup” week in Melbourne, to which delegates from the various Amateur Billiard Associations are to be invited to go into the question of fixing on an “amateur definition,” to take the place of the hybrid clauses that now do duty in Australia, under whose sheltering sentences players lounge whose only reason for being amateurs is that they are not “good enough” to be professionals. There should be no difficulty in deciding on a definition that would purify the game, and make it appeal to even the most timorous. Only a few clauses are necessary to wipe out the individuals who may openly play for staked bets or wagers; wholly or partially earn their living at the game; or play in tournaments where cash prizes are given.

There will be billiard talent galore in the hub of the English-speaking world this year. To place them alphabetically, there is T. Aiken, the Scottish champion, and an excellent cueist; E. Diggle, who crowded Stevenson off the track during their recent Marathon game; George Gray, undefeated last English season; Cecil Harverson, back from a successful tour of South Africa; Melbourne Inman, who made a close thing of it with Stevenson in the last championship; Australian champion, F. Lindrum, on his initial scalp-hunting expedition; polished Tommy Reece, the Beau Brummel of billiards, who made such a great impression during his

late tour of Australia; the “greatest Roman of all,” John Roberts, who is announced to play another season in Leicester Square, and who, despite the 64 years of time that has somewhat whitened his locks, is almost as attractive to watch as he was a couple of decades since; H. W. Stevenson, brightened up after his round-the-globe run, will again be on tap to defend the title of English champion; and last, but maybe not least, A. E. Williams, benefited by x 8 months’ residence in the liquid sunshine of Australia. This bright array of talent should keep the balls moving and the public contented for the next seven or eight months. Certainly, the doings of Gray and Lindrum will be followed closely by the tens of thousands of Australian ball-pushers.— “Referee.”